Yukio Ninagawa

Yukio Ninagawa was a Japanese theatre director and film actor, particularly known for his Japanese language productions of Shakespeare plays and Greek tragedies. He directed Hamlet differently eight times. Description above from the Wikipedia article Yukio Ninagawa, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.

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Bushido: The Cruel Code of the Samurai (1963)

After a salary-man's fiancée attempts suicide, he recounts his gruesome family history which saw generations of his ancestors suffer and sacrifice themselves for the sake of their cruel lords.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Tadashi Imai
CAST:  Kinnosuke Nakamura  •  Eijirō Tōno  •  Kyôko Kishida  •  Masayuki Mori

After a salary-man's fiancée attempts suicide, he recounts his gruesome family history which saw generations of his ancestors suffer and sacrifice themselves for the sake of their cruel lords.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Tadashi Imai
CAST:  Kinnosuke Nakamura  •  Eijirō Tōno  •  Kyôko Kishida  •  Masayuki Mori

She and He (1963)

As her husband Eiichi becomes more entangled in his life as businessman, Naoko looks for ways to expand her own life even as her husband's life shrinks in scope and intimacy. She finds new interests, new love, and a greater sense of her place in the world.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Susumu Hani
CAST:  Eiji Okada  •  Sachiko Hidari  •  Kikuji Yamashita  •  Akio Hasegawa

As her husband Eiichi becomes more entangled in his life as businessman, Naoko looks for ways to expand her own life even as her husband's life shrinks in scope and intimacy. She finds new interests, new love, and a greater sense of her place in the world.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Susumu Hani
CAST:  Eiji Okada  •  Sachiko Hidari  •  Kikuji Yamashita  •  Akio Hasegawa

Summer of Demon (1981)

A former retainer to a noble family kills his wife's father when he tries to expose his past crimes. When he begins an affair with the daughter of another clan's retainer, her father tries to poison him but the substance instead claims an innocent victim...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Yukio Ninagawa
CAST:  Kenichi Hagiwara  •  Keiko Takahashi  •  Masako Natsume  •  Aiko Morishita

A former retainer to a noble family kills his wife's father when he tries to expose his past crimes. When he begins an affair with the daughter of another clan's retainer, her father tries to poison him but the substance instead claims an innocent victim...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Yukio Ninagawa
CAST:  Kenichi Hagiwara  •  Keiko Takahashi  •  Masako Natsume  •  Aiko Morishita

Twinkle (1992)

Shoko and Mutsuki get married to satisfy their worried parents, but she is well past the age at which a 'good' Japanese woman should marry, and he is in love with a young male college student. The film is less a realistic exploration of gay life than a fairy tale ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Jōji Matsuoka
CAST:  Hiroko Yakushimaru  •  Etsushi Toyokawa  •  Michitaka Tsutsui  •  Kai Ato

Shoko and Mutsuki get married to satisfy their worried parents, but she is well past the age at which a 'good' Japanese woman should marry, and he is in love with a young male college student. The film is less a realistic exploration of gay life than a fairy tale ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Jōji Matsuoka
CAST:  Hiroko Yakushimaru  •  Etsushi Toyokawa  •  Michitaka Tsutsui  •  Kai Ato

Snakes and Earrings (2008)

While alone in a nightclub, straight-laced Lui meets sensitive but troubled punk kid Ama. Mesmerized by his split tongue, she becomes obsessed with body modification and soon wants the same treatment. After Ama's heavily-tattooed friend Shiba pierces her tongue, ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Yukio Ninagawa
CAST:  Yuriko Yoshitaka  •  Kengo Kora  •  Arata Iura  •  Yû Abiru

While alone in a nightclub, straight-laced Lui meets sensitive but troubled punk kid Ama. Mesmerized by his split tongue, she becomes obsessed with body modification and soon wants the same treatment. After Ama's heavily-tattooed friend Shiba pierces her tongue, ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Yukio Ninagawa
CAST:  Yuriko Yoshitaka  •  Kengo Kora  •  Arata Iura  •  Yû Abiru

The Inheritance (1962)

On his deathbed, a wealthy businessman announces that his fortune is to be split equally among his three illegitimate children, whose whereabouts are unknown to his family and colleagues. A bevy of lawyers and associates scheme to procure the money for themselves, ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Masaki Kobayashi
CAST:  Keiko Kishi  •  Tatsuya Nakadai  •  Sō Yamamura  •  Yūsuke Kawazu

On his deathbed, a wealthy businessman announces that his fortune is to be split equally among his three illegitimate children, whose whereabouts are unknown to his family and colleagues. A bevy of lawyers and associates scheme to procure the money for themselves, ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Masaki Kobayashi
CAST:  Keiko Kishi  •  Tatsuya Nakadai  •  Sō Yamamura  •  Yūsuke Kawazu

Silence Has No Wings (1966)

Following the journey of a caterpillar along the Japanese islands from Nagasaki to Hokkaido, this allegorical and oblique first feature film by Kuroki depicts in exquisite images a series of encounters and life's turning points.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Kazuo Kuroki
CAST:  Mariko Kaga  •  Hōsei Komatsu  •  Takeshi Kusaka  •  Hiroyuki Nagato

Following the journey of a caterpillar along the Japanese islands from Nagasaki to Hokkaido, this allegorical and oblique first feature film by Kuroki depicts in exquisite images a series of encounters and life's turning points.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Kazuo Kuroki
CAST:  Mariko Kaga  •  Hōsei Komatsu  •  Takeshi Kusaka  •  Hiroyuki Nagato

The Tragedy of “W” (1984)

A young girl is striving for stardom. In order to get a lead role in a new production, she agrees to stand-in for a famous star whose rich patron died in her arms one night. The real-life drama gradually comes to mirror the story of the play being performed by her.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Shinichirô Sawai
CAST:  Hiroko Yakushimaru  •  Masanori Sera  •  Kunihiko Mitamura  •  Miho Takagi

A young girl is striving for stardom. In order to get a lead role in a new production, she agrees to stand-in for a famous star whose rich patron died in her arms one night. The real-life drama gradually comes to mirror the story of the play being performed by her.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Shinichirô Sawai
CAST:  Hiroko Yakushimaru  •  Masanori Sera  •  Kunihiko Mitamura  •  Miho Takagi

The Scandalous Adventures of Buraikan (1970)

An outlaw pushes the residents of Edo's red light district to rebel against a growing number of stifling, moralistic laws.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Masahiro Shinoda
CAST:  Tatsuya Nakadai  •  Shima Iwashita  •  Tetsurō Tamba  •  Shoichi Ozawa

An outlaw pushes the residents of Edo's red light district to rebel against a growing number of stifling, moralistic laws.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Masahiro Shinoda
CAST:  Tatsuya Nakadai  •  Shima Iwashita  •  Tetsurō Tamba  •  Shoichi Ozawa

The Silk Road (1988)

In 1026, students in western China are shanghaied into the forces of crown prince Li Yuanhao of Xi Xia, who wants to control the length of the Silk Road. One student is Zhao Xingde, who becomes the favorite of his commander, Zhu Wangli. While sacking a fortress, ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Junya Satō
CAST:  Toshiyuki Nishida  •  Koichi Sato  •  Anna Nakagawa  •  Tsunehiko Watase

In 1026, students in western China are shanghaied into the forces of crown prince Li Yuanhao of Xi Xia, who wants to control the length of the Silk Road. One student is Zhao Xingde, who becomes the favorite of his commander, Zhu Wangli. While sacking a fortress, ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Junya Satō
CAST:  Toshiyuki Nishida  •  Koichi Sato  •  Anna Nakagawa  •  Tsunehiko Watase

The Blue Light (2003)

Shuichi Kushimori is a 17 year old high school student who lives happily with his mother and stepsister. One day, without warning, his estranged stepfather returns home from a long absence. He quickly falls into a circle of drinking and starts abusing his ex-wife ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Yukio Ninagawa
CAST:  Kazunari Ninomiya  •  Aya Matsuura  •  Kansai Yamamoto  •  Baijaku Nakamura

Shuichi Kushimori is a 17 year old high school student who lives happily with his mother and stepsister. One day, without warning, his estranged stepfather returns home from a long absence. He quickly falls into a circle of drinking and starts abusing his ex-wife ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Yukio Ninagawa
CAST:  Kazunari Ninomiya  •  Aya Matsuura  •  Kansai Yamamoto  •  Baijaku Nakamura

Assassination (1964)

Assassination begins with the events of 1853 when "four black ships" anchored at Edo Bay, sparking civil unrest and the major political manoeuvring that saw the end of the Tokugawa Shogunate. At a time when assassination had become a disturbing political tool, ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Masahiro Shinoda
CAST:  Tetsurō Tamba  •  Eiji Okada  •  Eitarō Ozawa  •  Isao Kimura

Assassination begins with the events of 1853 when "four black ships" anchored at Edo Bay, sparking civil unrest and the major political manoeuvring that saw the end of the Tokugawa Shogunate. At a time when assassination had become a disturbing political tool, ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Masahiro Shinoda
CAST:  Tetsurō Tamba  •  Eiji Okada  •  Eitarō Ozawa  •  Isao Kimura

Warau Iemon (2004)

Having put down his sword and given up the will to fight, the masterless samurai Iemon lives in solitude while being haunted by his violent enigmatic past...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Yukio Ninagawa
CAST:  Toshiaki Karasawa  •  Koyuki  •  Teruyuki Kagawa  •  Hiroyuki Ikeuchi

Having put down his sword and given up the will to fight, the masterless samurai Iemon lives in solitude while being haunted by his violent enigmatic past...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Yukio Ninagawa
CAST:  Toshiaki Karasawa  •  Koyuki  •  Teruyuki Kagawa  •  Hiroyuki Ikeuchi

Lost Lovers (1971)

A rebel youth joins a duo of entertainers only able to communicate by gesturing; when the female performer is suddenly abducted, he and Takeru must take action.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Sôichirô Tahara  •  Kunio Shimizu
CAST:  Renji Ishibashi  •  Keizo Kanie  •  Mako Midori  •  Kaori Momoi

A rebel youth joins a duo of entertainers only able to communicate by gesturing; when the female performer is suddenly abducted, he and Takeru must take action.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Sôichirô Tahara  •  Kunio Shimizu
CAST:  Renji Ishibashi  •  Keizo Kanie  •  Mako Midori  •  Kaori Momoi

Affair in the Snow (1968)

In an isolated mountain resort, a woman gets involved in a love triangle between herself, her volatile lover and her ex-boyfriend, for whom she had platonic feelings.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Yoshishige Yoshida
CAST:  Mariko Okada  •  Isao Kimura  •  Yukio Ninagawa  •  Miyoko Akaza

In an isolated mountain resort, a woman gets involved in a love triangle between herself, her volatile lover and her ex-boyfriend, for whom she had platonic feelings.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Yoshishige Yoshida
CAST:  Mariko Okada  •  Isao Kimura  •  Yukio Ninagawa  •  Miyoko Akaza

Diner (2019)

A former murderer and genius chef along with a waitress come together with a group of fantastical assassins in a diner. A girl with a hollowness in her heart, who believes that she belongs nowhere, is thrust into a series of attacks where she must struggle to find ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Mika Ninagawa
CAST:  Tatsuya Fujiwara  •  Tina Tamashiro  •  Masataka Kubota  •  Kanata Hongo

A former murderer and genius chef along with a waitress come together with a group of fantastical assassins in a diner. A girl with a hollowness in her heart, who believes that she belongs nowhere, is thrust into a series of attacks where she must struggle to find ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Mika Ninagawa
CAST:  Tatsuya Fujiwara  •  Tina Tamashiro  •  Masataka Kubota  •  Kanata Hongo

お気に召すまま (2007)

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DIRECTION:  Yukio Ninagawa
CAST:  Shun Oguri  •  Hiroki Narimiya

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DIRECTION:  Yukio Ninagawa
CAST:  Shun Oguri  •  Hiroki Narimiya

The Akasaka Sisters: Soft Touch of Night (1960)

Set in the postwar turmoil, Akasaka no shimai paints a vivit portrait of the life of three sisters who struggle to live in Tokyo.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Yūzō Kawashima
CAST:  Michiyo Aratama  •  Chikage Awashima  •  Yūnosuke Itō  •  Tomoko Kawaguchi

Set in the postwar turmoil, Akasaka no shimai paints a vivit portrait of the life of three sisters who struggle to live in Tokyo.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Yūzō Kawashima
CAST:  Michiyo Aratama  •  Chikage Awashima  •  Yūnosuke Itō  •  Tomoko Kawaguchi

Dupe (1965)

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DIRECTION:  Hideo Sekigawa
CAST:  Tatsuo Umemiya  •  Mako Midori  •  Reiko Ōhara  •  Shigemi Kitahara

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DIRECTION:  Hideo Sekigawa
CAST:  Tatsuo Umemiya  •  Mako Midori  •  Reiko Ōhara  •  Shigemi Kitahara

オイディプス王 (2002)

Oedipus, a prince of Corinth, was prophesied to "kill his father and marry his mother." To avoid the fulfillment of this prophecy, he went on a wandering journey, drove off the monstrous Sphinx in the kingdom of Thebai, and became the king of Thebai. Oedipus takes ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Yukio Ninagawa
CAST:  Mansai Nomura

Oedipus, a prince of Corinth, was prophesied to "kill his father and marry his mother." To avoid the fulfillment of this prophecy, he went on a wandering journey, drove off the monstrous Sphinx in the kingdom of Thebai, and became the king of Thebai. Oedipus takes ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Yukio Ninagawa
CAST:  Mansai Nomura
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